Facebook and Instagram are partially down for many users around the world on Wednesday. "We're working to resolve the issue as soon as possible", a Facebook spokesperson wrote in an email to Mashable. According to the message, Facebook will be up and running "within a few minutes" but people are still reporting problems with the site.

5NEWS is trying to update our Facebook users with breaking news and today's top stories, but sadly our page is now down.

"I figured this could happen eventually but it's extremely crippling to be part of this monopoly".

The hashtags #FacebookDown and #InstagramDown have been used more than 150,000 times so far. Many report being unable to post, share, or like. Additionally, Instagram wouldn't redirect to other people's pages.

Facebook Messenger is the social network's chatting client that is harnessed by users across the globe.

Some joked that the lack of access to Facebook would deprive them of validation.

Chiefs agree to trade Dee Ford to 49ersIn return for Ford, the Chiefs will nab a pick that will give them four top 100 picks in the 2020 National Football League draft. Kansas City's defensive scheme change from a 3-4 to a 4-3 was a key reason why the team shopped Ford.

Duke center Bolden to miss ACC tournament
Duke enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed and will play in a quarterfinals matchup on Thursday, March 14 at 9 p.m. The injury was later diagnosed as an MCL sprain, however they are not yet sure how severe.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom To Halt Executions
Ellen Kreitzberg, a death penalty expert and opponent at Santa Clara University law school in California, welcomed Newsom's move. This comes on the heels of Californians actually voting to bolster the speed with which the state can execute an inmate.

Revised Brexit deal doesn’t undermine backstop: Irish PM
The opposition Labour Party has called for a General Election - and criticised Theresa May for allowing a free vote on no deal. Parliament's next step, in a vote Thursday, will be to seek a delay of that looming departure date.

California governor puts moratorium on executions
His order also points to the 164 people who have been freed from death row after they were found to be wrongfully convicted. Newsom's moratorium will therefore fly in the face of the most recent expression of the views of the people of California.

Apple Announces Services Event for March 25
But reports have suggested that revenue splits and data sharing is still a sticking point between Apple and subscription services. This year, Apple is expected to unveil the iPad (7th-generation) that will retain the conventional headphone jack and Touch ID.